CE Pro January 2023 - 41

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How Netgear 'Saved My Butt' on Big Project
Netgear Pro AV Design Team works with integrator until 2 a.m. to resolve complex
switch solution on casino project.
L
ike many small custom integrators,
Paul Hagen of Site on Sound in
Fargo, N.D., does everything from sales
to engineering to project management to
custom support.
" I sell the system to the client and
then I show up to do the installation.
I am on the project from start to finish
for my customers, " he remarks. Hagen
is primarily focused on the commercial
side of the business with other
Site on Sound teams specializing in 12
volt car audio, and a whole range of
applications from residential projects
to motorhomes, boats or even Harley
Davidson motorcycles.
As a small company, support from
manufacturer partners can be key to Site
on Sound's success. And that's exactly
the situation that occurred last spring
when Hagen was installing the largest
system he has ever done at a local sports
book casino.
The original system design called
for a Key Digital AV-over-IP video and
Q-SYS via Dante audio distribution
throughout the facility via D-Link network
switches; however, the switches were not able to support
the large system, according to Hagen. After consulting with the
Paul Hagen of Site on Sound in Fargo, N.D., relied on Netgear Pro AV Tech Support to help him get a large system up and
running at a sports book casino.
affi rm the system was working perfectly.
" Th ey saved my butt, " exclaims Hagen. " Th ey went above and
Key Digital team, Site on Sound changed to Netgear switches.
" When I deployed the switches, nothing worked. When I was
able to get video, there was no audio. When I got the audio to work,
there was no video. Something just wasn't right, " recalls Hagen.
He initially emailed the Netgear tech support team and they
off ered him some pointers, but eventually Hagen had to shut the
entire casino down.
" I sent an email to Netgear at 8 p.m. Central time hoping that
there was someone still there who could help me, " he says.
About 20 minutes later, a Netgear Pro AV Design Team engineer
called him and stayed on the phone with him until 2 a.m.
until they got the system functioning. Th e next morning at 8 a.m.,
that same Netgear tech support person texted Hagen to see if the
system was still up and running properly.
" I told him I didn't know because I was still in bed! " he laughs.
Over the next several days Hagen stayed in consistent communication
with the engineer at Netgear Pro AV Design Team to
beyond. I have actually talked more since then with that same tech
support person and he has been 'johnny on the spot' and helped
me immensely. "
In addition to the Pro AV Design Team, Netgear has a Pro
WiFi Design Team. Dealers are relying more on Netgear as their
outsourced IT department for network troubleshooting, product/brand
comparisons and trainings. Th e company also supplies
installers with engineering documentation to hand their technicians
and clients that include connectivity diagrams in Visio and
heat maps showing optimal Wi-Fi coverage using Ekahau. Both
the Pro AV Design and Pro WiFi Design Teams are live, 24/7/365
and free to the channel.
Site on Sound now uses Netgear on every project, including
several upcoming commercial jobs with Just Add Power and QSC
teleconferencing gear, along with a residential installation with
URC Total Control.

CE Pro January 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro January 2023